# Oliver Holmes

## Biography

Oliver Wendell Holmes was a prominent American physician, poet, and essayist, born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1809. A polymath and a member of the renowned Fireside Poets, he was celebrated for his literary contributions and medical innovations. Holmes initially studied law at Harvard before pursuing medicine, earning his degree in 1836 after studies in Paris. He became a professor of anatomy and physiology at Harvard Medical School, even serving as dean, and was a significant medical reformer, notably advocating for the contagiousness of puerperal fever and coining the term "anesthesia."

Beyond his medical career, Holmes enjoyed widespread acclaim as an author. His poem "Old Ironsides" famously helped save the USS Constitution from destruction. He is perhaps best known for his "Breakfast-Table" series, which began with "The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table" in 1858, showcasing his wit and insightful observations. He actively wrote poetry, novels, and essays, leaving an indelible mark on 19th-century American literature until his death in 1894.

## Books

- [The Common Law](https://samolit.com/books/96667)